Mark 10:32-52

10:33-34 | Again Jesus told His disciples all that would happen to Him in Jerusalem (8:31; Dan. 7:18, 22, 27).

10:35-40 | Anticipating a moment of glory, James and John asked for the two highest places of honor at Jesus’ side. Jesus warned that they would in fact drink His cup, but it was a reference to martyrdom. James was the first of the disciples to die for Christ (Acts 12:2); John was the last, dying in exile as an old man on the island of Patmos.

10:41-45 | Jesus redefined the true nature of greatness. To be great does not mean to lord it over someone; it means to willingly serve under someone. By giving His own life as a ransom, Jesus – the Suffering Servant (Isa. 53:10-12) – would soon show His followers ultimate humility (Phil. 2:7-8).

10:46-52 | Bartimaeus, although blind, saw by faith what the crowds did not see – that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah (12:35-37; Jer. 23:5). Both stories of the healing of the blind in Mark (8:22-26) show that the journey of discipleship is characterized by blindness and sight. God is patient with sinners in their blindness but is eager to give them sight.